Friday 12 December 2014 12:44, UK
Chris Robshaw's shoulder injury will keep him out for just "three to four weeks", Harlequins have announced.
The England captain was ruled out of Saturday's European Rugby Champions Cup match against Leinster, raising fears his Six Nations participation could be jeopardised.
But a statement from Harlequins said that "following consultation with a specialist, the RFU and the Harlequins medical team, Robshaw is expected to return in three to four weeks".
Robshaw, 28, will not need surgery on the shoulder, but he stands to miss Premiership games against Newcastle, Northampton and London Welsh on top of the trip to Dublin.
The Champions Cup clash with Wasps on the third weekend of January offers his most likely route back to playing, with Quins completing their European group campaign against Castres a week later.
While a bitter blow to his club, the news that Robshaw's absence will be limited to up to a month will be welcomed by England.
The openside excelled while playing every minute of the recent autumn series against New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Australia and is the undisputed first choice in his position.
He will be at the helm when England open their Six Nations against Wales in Cardiff on February 6 and will almost certainly lead the assault on the 2015 World Cup.
